Originally published on February 21, 2022; updated on July 20, 2023
Spiral staircases or helical staircases? Find out everything you need to know about these vertical circulation structures.
What You Need to Know About Spiral Stairs and Helical Stairs
Would you like to learn all about spiral staircases and spiral staircases? These structures are an ideal solution for vertical circulation in a building or home with limited space. Next, we'll look at what these types of structures are, how big they are, and What types of stairs are there?.
What are spiral staircases?
First of all, it's important to know The origin of the name, because it is due to its resemblance to that of a propeller since spiral staircases are circular in shape and rotate around an axis. This type of structure is widely used in residential buildings or inside homes, but also in shopping centers, for example.
Photo: Idealkit.es
Stairs are a fundamental part of architecture; they are elements that can be purely functional, but at the same time, they have the ability to bring a space to life. In fact, staircases have even come to take on the meaning of wealth and grandeur, such as that proposal from Michelangelo for the commission he had received from Pope Medici Clement VII, in the Laurenziana Library; the same Andrea Palladio He went on to provide numerous examples in his treatises on spiral and helical staircases.
Photo: COPE
Spiral and helical staircases began as the primary means of vertical circulation in ancient medieval towers, but today they have become a highly efficient and aesthetically appealing solution. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and materials, and serve a wide range of purposes.
What types of stairs are there?
After learning What are spiral staircases?, another of the most common questions is finding out the types of stairs thatThese are some options you can choose for the interior of a home. To choose the most suitable one, it's important to pay attention to the budget and to the technical and aesthetic aspects. Based on this criterion, we can identify:
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Spiral staircases, the steps radiate from a central axis and, when viewed from above, form a perfect circle.
- Spiral staircases, which are very similar to snail shells, but these are more open and therefore require a larger surface area.
- Elliptical Stairs, just as the spirals of a snail form a circle, in this case, the steps form an ellipse.
- Straight staircases, With one or two flights, these are the most common in homes.
- Suspended Stairs, with the steps attached to the wall.
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Imperial Stairs, typical of stately homes, mansions…
Photo: Spain.info
How long are spiral staircases?
After learning what they are spiral staircases, another key issue is how large these types of structures are. The truth is that their dimensions vary widely, since they depend on the height the staircase must cover, the angle of rotation, and the diameter of the landing where the ladder will go. However, as a general rule, the minimum diameter for the post is 10 cm, the standard rake must be 17.5 cm, and the handrail—which is required as a safety measure—must be at least 90 cm high. Likewise, the width of thee the footprints It must be at least 25 cm to ensure stability and safety.
Design and Calculation of Spiral and Helical Stairs
In the field of architecture It is essential to understand how design and calculate staircases, but in the case of spiral staircases The task is a little more complex. To do this, we need to consider several unknowns: What is the distance between the levels? What is the angle of rotation?, What is the diameter Who can we count on?
The first thing is to be clear about where the staircase begins and where it ends so that you can determine the degrees of rotation that we have to cover; then, knowing the height, we can determine the distance between steps, always in compliance with the dimensions specified by our country's regulations. Finally, the the width and shape of each step This will give us an equidistant division of the number of steps between the perimeter perimeter. To find the perimeter, we will use the following formula:
Perimeter (length of the spiral staircase) = (π (Pi) × radius × angle of rotation) / 180)
A very important factor to consider with this type of staircase is that, due to its shape, the steps acquire a trapezoidal shape They are wider on the outside and become very narrow as they approach the center. Therefore, the rule of thumb is to know that there is a “useful“ line“ located in 2/3 of the width of the step, which represents the area where the user walks.
Photo: Wikipedia
Difference between a spiral staircase and a helical staircase
It can be argued that the concept behind both types of staircases is very similar: going up or down along a spiral path that allows the staircase to occupy the narrowest possible space. The main difference comes in the geometric shape which defines the path of both staircases, the spiral staircase unfolds with spiral shape about one axis, while a spiral staircase winds around a circumference.
Photo: Wikipedia
This means that the development of a spiral staircase That's a lot more user-friendly, but on the other hand, it requires much more space, which is why it's usually used in more prestigious locations. On the other hand, the spiral staircase, despite being a little narrower and less comfortable, turns out to be very efficient for small spaces, and it is used primarily in homes.
Examples of spiral staircases
In order to find out what they're like spiral staircases, Next, we'll list some of the most famous buildings:
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Inverted tower of Sintra
- Bramante Staircase at the Vatican Museums
- Double spiral staircase at the Visitor Center of the Tortuguero National Park (Costa Rica)
- The central staircase of the Museum of the Galician People
- Monument to the Great Fire of London from 1666
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Staircase of the Bell Tower of the Coria Cathedral (Cáceres)
Photo: Wikipedia
In conclusion, spiral staircases They add a very attractive look to unusual spaces, and at the same time, they’re a very efficient solution for small areas. That said, its construction must take into account certain technical details so that it remains safe and does not lose its functionality. In Structuralia You'll find a wide selection of Master's programs and courses on engineering, construction, energy, and infrastructure, in Structuralia to boost your career prospects.
